ALWS Game 13: One hit is all it takes for Nebraska to reach title game

When your team is being no-hit, many coaches will make comments in hopes of getting their team to shake the offensive struggles. 

In Monday’s first American Legion World Series semifinal, Lincoln (Neb.) Post 3 coach Mychal Lanik took an even more positive approach. 

“I told a couple of our boys in the fifth inning that we were going to win this thing with one hit,” Lanik said. 

One inning later, Lanik’s catcher Garrett Springer made him prophetic with a one-out, two-run single for Lincoln’s only hit in a 2-1 victory over Cheyenne (Wyo.) Post 6 at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C. 

In the 96-year history of the ALWS, Lincoln became the first team to win a game while getting only one hit. 

Also, Cheyenne right-hander Colter McAnelly finished up arguably the most hard luck pitcher in the history of the event. McAnelly lost 4-0 Thursday when League City (Tex.) Post 554 pitcher Jacob Cyr threw the third no-hitter in ALWS history, then lost again Monday despite throwing the one-hitter. 

“It’s definitely a tough way for it to end,” said Cheyenne coach Ty Lain, whose team was making the first ALWS appearance in Wyoming history. “But I said earlier in the tournament that the margin for error is razor thin. And one of them broke our way the other night (in a 3-2 come-from-behind win over defending ALWS champion Troy, Ala.) and today it flipped on us. 

“I thought our guys played great. They gave us a chance to win and I’m so proud of them.” 

Cheyenne had 13 baserunners in Monday’s game on four hits, six walks, one hit batter and two fielding errors but were able to manufacture only one run before Lincoln’s winning rally in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

Post 6 scored in the third inning when McAnelly drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a fielding error and scored on another fielding error. 

McAnelly yielded only five baserunners but four of them came in the sixth. 

A University of Utah signee, McAnelly retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced, yielding only a one-out hit batter in the fourth, before Post 3 rallied. 

Harrison Biester drew a leadoff walk and Landon Sandy reached base on a fielding error after putting down a sacrifice bunt. Then after one out, Cheyenne chose to walk A.J. Evasco to load the bases against Springer. 

Springer then stroked a 1-0 offering from McAnelly into left field to knock home the tying and winning runs. 

“I know A.J. is one of the best players on the team,” Springer said of Evasco, who was Central Plains Regional MVP. “Batting behind him is such a confidence booster. I think A.J.’s a really good hitter but I think I’m a pretty good hitter too. 

“So I’m glad they walked A.J. to get to me. But I’m sure if A.J. had been up there, I think he would’ve done the exact same thing.”